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The finalists have been announced for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 19/20!

10th December 2019

Categories: Visitor News

Image from last year's event.

Over 100 businesses across the South West have been named as finalists for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards with many of them from Devon. Across the region there were over 770 entries and up to five finalists have been selected in each category with the overall winners to be announced in February.

In Devon, a number of tourism businesses from across the region have been featured either as finalists or commended in the majority of the award’s categories.

North Hayne Farm Cottages are just one of many businesses that appear in more than one category. Not only are they named as a finalist in the Accessible and Inclusive Award category but also in the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category.

In the Active and Sporting Experience Award category, Calvert Trust Exmoor and Reach Outdoors were both commended, with Reach Outdoors also being named a finalist in the Learning Experience of the Year category.

When it comes to B&B and Guesthouse of the Year, many of our favourites in Devon have been named; Driftwood B&B was commended, with the 25 Boutique B&B in Torquay being named as a finalist along with the accommodation at Pentillie Castle who have also been commended in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Category where River Dart Country Park have been made a finalist.

River Dart are in the running for a total of three awards, having also been named as finalists in the Touring, Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year categories.

Alongside River Dart, Salcombe Distilling Co is also a finalist for Small Visitor Attraction of the year with The Bear Trail receiving a Commendation. While Harford Bridge Holiday Park is also a finalist in the Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year award.

In the rest of the accommodation category awards, Ladram Bay was named as a finalist for Holiday park of the Year with Cofton Holidays getting commended. Devon Yurt is a finalist for Glamping Business and Alternative Accommodation of the Year, Salcombe Harbour Hotel is a finalist for Large Hotel of the Year and The Cary Arms and Spa a finalist for Small Hotel of the Year. While Ilsington Country House Hotel and Spa have been commended in the Spa and Well-being Experience of the Year category and the restaurant at Bovey Castle have been commended in Restaurant/Bistro of the Year.

Devon businesses appeared frequently in many of the events based categories too. Event Exeter is a finalist in Business Event Venue of the Year, while Glas-Denbury Music and Arts Festival have once again been named as a finalist in the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year category and The Train of Lights at Dartmouth Steam Railway is a finalist in the Tourism Innovation Award category.

Internationally, Kent’s Cavern Prehistoric Caves are one of the finalists for the International Tourism Award with Dartington International Summer School and Festival getting commended.

The English Riviera Visitor Information Service were also honoured having been named finalists in the Visitor Information Service of the Year category.

Speaking about the awards on the South West Tourism Awards website, Jeremy Mitchell, marketing and communications director at the award’s headline sponsor, St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re delighted to sponsor this year’s South West Tourism Awards - an annual celebration of excellence in tourism across the region. From Cornwall, to Bath, the West Country has so many businesses and individuals that deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to tourism and world-class hospitality.Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists.”

Robin Barker, director of Services for Tourism Ltd, who manage the Awards, commented: “Our team members continue to be humbled by the excellence and ambition we see amongst our leading tourism businesses. They continue to invest, innovate and improve – and I offer them all our congratulations.”

The winners will be announced on 6^th February at Exeter Cathedral. To see a full list of finalists, click here.

Congratulations everyone!